Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran, the most loved (and hated) elephant in Kerala

Kerala By K A Shaji September 18, 2022 Read the article

Born in Assam and reared in Bihar, Thechikottukavu Ramachandran stands 320 cm in height — India’s tallest living captive elephant.

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Last week the Kerala High Court imposed a blanket ban on parading him at temple festivals and other public events.

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He was hired every year over the past 18 years to push open the southern entrance of the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur every day for the Pooram (festival).

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He has also killed 13 people, six among them his mahouts, apart from three other captive elephants.

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The recent high court order was the result the Idukki Society for Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals approaching the court.

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A division bench issued the ban order after considering a report on the animal’s health prepared by Forest Department.

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According to the temple authorities, Ramachandran could follow instructions only in Hindi and Bhojpuri in the initial days.

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A mahout who had no command over these languages lost his cool one day and hit the animal in the eye with a stick, blinding it.

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It was after that incident that Ramachandran began to get restive whenever people approached it.

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Ramachandran began seeing anyone coming close as dangerous after its eyesight started failing, said elephant expert VK Venkatachalam.

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Venkatachalam said it was time Ramachandran is ensured a “proper retirement life”, preferably at the Kottur rehabilitation camp for aged elephants.

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